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A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor, a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Arts and Sciences' Bates honored by professional secretaries group

By Sally Harris

Spectrum Volume 20 Issue 15 - December 11, 1997

Robert C. Bates, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, was honored as the
Executive of the Year 1997-98 by the New River Valley Chapter of Professional
Secretaries International (PSI).
The award honors an executive in the New River Valley for "outstanding
service, support and encouragement in the secretarial profession." PSI members
nominate candidates for the award in a written supporting statement of the
executive's merits. Winners are then chosen by committee. Barbara Harris,
Bates's assistant, nominated him for the award.
"Since becoming dean, he has made it a personal goal to help the classified
staff members of the college to organize themselves and take responsibility for
their own self improvement and professional development," Harris said in her
supporting statement. "He has guided and taught us how to lead ourselves. Over
the past two years, he has provided financial assistance to the support staff
organization, CASSA, for social gatherings and educational workshops given by
college faculty members to the support staff throughout each semester.
"He has encouraged staff members to attend leadership development programs to
strengthen their abilities to lead. This year he implemented a grant program
whereby individual support staff members can apply for financial assistance to
workshops, conferences, etc. Through his efforts in helping us to learn to lead
ourselves, he has improved morale among the staff and helped our floundering
CASSA organization to become an active, exciting group.
"Most important, Bob is a leader by example. He listens, guides, is tolerant
of mistakes, and does not dictate his agenda to those still learning. His
office door is as open to his support staff as it is to his faculty."
Bates joined the Virginia Tech faculty in 1972 as an assistant professor of
biology and has been a full professor since 1985. He was appointed associate
dean for research, facilities, and graduate studies in 1987 and was named dean
in January 1994.